DON’T LET THE FUNGUS GET ME North America’s extreme diversity of salamanders (lungless Ensatina eschscholtziifrom the West Coast shown) could face catastrophic losses if the deadly Bsal fungus invades via the international live-animal trade.

T. Yap

TAKE TWO Philae’s intended landing spot (left, imaged from 40 meters above the comet’s surface) was soft and sandy. A two-hour-long bounce dropped it in a craggy pit (right, with lander leg at bottom) where the ground is as hard as pumice.

DLR/ROLIS/Philae/Rosetta/ESA (left), CIVA/Philae/Rosetta/ESA (right)

FLOATING Like a real water strider (left), new robotic insects can rest on water and jump off it.

Seoul National University

TASTY Fats like one found in olive oil don’t just please the palate; they fall under a taste category distinct from the five well-known ones, researchers argue.